Kanye West Unveils ‘Yeezus’ At NYC Album Event

In advance of his album’s June 18 release date, Kanye West held an event at Milk Studios in New York City on Tuesday (June 11) night to play his album Yeezus. At one point, he went on to explain the title: “West was my slave name, Yeezus is my god name.” That sets the tone of the event.

West himself was on hand to introduce the album to assorted press, music industry heavyweights and fashionistas on the invite list. The half indoor, open-air venue was put together at the last minute and seemed designed to allow those passing by the Meatpacking District location an opportunity to hear and see the presentation without ever stepping foot inside the studio.

West’s introduction of the album was not a tirade, but rather, the same sort of manifesto that customarily accompanies the presentation of most of his art. He started out addressing the anti-marketing stance he’s taking with Yeezus, oddly singling out YouTube for associating other “recommended” artists next to his work that Ye would prefer not to be associated with — while carefully (and notedly) not naming any names.

“I got this new strategy. It’s called no strategy. And I got this idea about how to sell more music. It’s called make better music,” West said, generating cheers from the crowd. He continued on, saying he felt “squashed by the concept of opportunity” and blaming the numerous marketing opportunities and the sales they promised to lead to for his distraction as an artist.